David Kilbernie, a young Scots noble, arrives in the Carolinas just in time for the Tuscarora War. But before he goes off to fight he comes under the tutelage of the indomitable Mistress Bray, a native born greens woman and English teacher, employed by the Anglican Church. The story here is based on actual events - the near destruction of both the North Carolina and South Carolina colonies from 1711 to 1717 - the wars of the Tuscarora and the Yamasee / Creek revolt.